Stefon Diggs signs with the New England Patriots on a three-year, $63.5 million deal after an ACL tear in Week 8 of 2024, a move that signals the Patriots’ commitment to a high-octane passing attack. At 31 turning 32 in 2025, Diggs brings elite playmaking ability to a quarterback room still growing into its ceiling. Early reports say he’s ahead of schedule in rehab and participating in routes during practices, but the timeline remains delicate given the knee injury and age.

Fantasy managers face a nuanced outlook: Diggs could jumpstart New England’s aerial attack, but the ACL rehab and age introduce risk, especially for Week 1 and the late-season stretch. Rookie Kyle Williams is off to a promising preseason arc, hinting at a peerless backfield dynamic that could siphon some volume. The Pats’ WR corps looks more intriguing with Diggs in the fold, but growth will hinge on Diggs staying healthy and the offense finding a steady rhythm quickly.

Week 1 remains murky, with Diggs likely to ramp up gradually after roughly 10 months of recovery. Expect a measured debut in the early weeks, with potential for big weeks as the knee stabilizes. In redraft, the question isn’t talent—it’s timing. Dynasty managers should weigh the upside against the durability risk, while Kyle Williams immediately becomes a valuable lottery-ticket handcuff/DPPR option for later upside. Diggs’ presence could push New England into a more aggressive passing trajectory, but fantasy veracity will hinge on health and on how quickly the rookie Williams can contribute.

The Patriots turned in one final walk-through before the preseason finale, still in helmets and shoulder pads as competition remained fierce. Christian Barmore and Milton Williams anchored a disruptive interior that flashed the disruptive edge the team hoped to unlock this season. Drake Maye endured pressure from a stout front as pass protection continued to be a concern, with Ben Brown plugged into guard/center spots to stabilize the line. Keion White started hot but drifted to the second unit, while Robert Spillane piled up sacks and Jabrill Peppers added a sack as Terrell Williams leaned on blitzing from safety and corner. The kicking race between Andy Borregales and Parker Romo remained a coin flip, both thriving in a tight battle. Offense touched the ball as well with Henry, Hollins, Diggs, and Dobbs all contributing. A game plan rehearsal looms as New England heads to East Rutherford for the final tune-up.

Pass protection remained a narrative thread. Barmore and Williams consistently found disruption in the backfield, challenging Drake Maye and keeping the offensive line under pressure. Will Campbell and the rest of the line showed flashes, but the unit’s ability to keep Maye clean will be critical for the preseason and beyond. On defense, Spillane’s two-sack day followed a previous interception spree, signaling a potential high-volume role in the regular season. Peppers leveraged blitz opportunities, hinting at a more aggressive use of safeties in coverage and pressure packages. In the kicking duel, Borregales and Romo split the 4-for-4 mark, underscoring how evenly matched the competition remains as the roster edges toward Week 1 considerations.

2025 fantasy outlooks for Addison, Shakir, Shaheed, Flowers, Godwin, Aiyuk, McLaurin, Mooney, Harrison Jr., and Diggs outline clear paths to value and risk. Addison is primed for a breakout with a high ceiling in Minnesota, while Flowers remains a hype candidate with a solid floor in a run-heavy Ravens attack. Shaheed hits as a late-round big-play bet in New Orleans, but quarterback flux could cap weeks. Godwin carries injury risk yet offers-by-week upside if he stays healthy; Aiyuk, McLaurin and Diggs anchor the group with proven floor and elite volume. Mooney, Harrison Jr. and Shakir present deeper-league intrigue, with Harrison Jr. representing rookie-dynasty upside. The piece leans on draft-tool guidance and format-aware projections to steer decisions across standard, Half-PPR and PPR leagues.

In short, target McLaurin, Diggs, and Aiyuk for solid weekly floors; chase Addison or Flowers for ceiling, depending on round. Shaheed and Mooney reward late-round grabs in best-ball and depth formats, while Harrison Jr. is a cornerstone pick for long-term rosters. Shakir and Godwin demand conditional stashes given health and target competition. The draft tool is highlighted as a core aid to compare up to four players at once and to optimize picks by scoring format and format-specific projections.

The Vikings face a meaningful WR depth question after Saturday’s 20-12 loss to New England, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison sidelined and Jalen Nailor inactive. Myles Price, an undrafted rookie, flashed speed on returns but battled drops and a confusing line call penalty that wiped an 18-yard grab. Minnesota is evaluating several receivers—Lucky Jackson, Tim Jones, Jeshaun Jones—as potential roster contenders while Price works to lock down a role. With Addison suspended three games and Jefferson dealing with a hamstring issue, depth behind the top two is imperative for Week 1.

Price supplied a jolt on special teams, including an 81-yard kickoff return, but the coaching staff remains unsure who steps into the Week 1 target share. The Vikings also rotated through returners as coach Kevin O’Connell praised Reichard’s kicking and noted Felton’s upside with experience. Meanwhile, Patriots veterans with Minnesota ties—Stefon Diggs’ return to U.S. Bank Stadium, and ex-Vikings linemen Bradbury, Lowe, Tonga making returns—added context to a game that underscored depth questions for Minnesota and the ongoing evaluation ahead of the Aug. 26 cutdown.

The Vikings and Patriots staged a brisk joint session at TCO, teeing up Week 2 preseason intrigue. Drake Maye faced a stiff test from Flores’ defense early, with the Vikings pressuring him into sacks before settling into a cleaner pocket and delivering a calm, downfield strike to Boutte. J.J. McCarthy pushed the pace with aggressive, heat-tested throws, including a deep connection to Aaron Jones, signaling a growing comfort with route structure and timing. Jordan Addison emerged as Maye’s favorite target, while Justin Jefferson watched from the sideline but stayed engaged, lending leadership and energy to the backdrop of a changing Vikings WR room. Diggs drew the spotlight for New England, injecting veteran savvy into a cross-town storyline that will color Week 2. The session stayed in check with only light scuffles, as Vrabel and Flores kept tempers contained, framing a tangible chess match as Minnesota and New England sharpen their respective rosters for the next game.

Addison’s rapport with McCarthy and Maye hints at a path to early-season targets if Jefferson’s hamstring lingers, while Maye’s pocket feel and late-day accuracy provide optimism for the Patriots’ rookie-era expectations. The practice underscored the evolving quarterback depth charts and the trans-seasonal drama around a cross-conference clash, giving fantasy managers a clearer read on which young pass-catchers could see a meaningful uptick in targets and how the two rookie quarterbacks may push each other for the helm in Minnesota’s offense and New England’s attack.